Erik Wilhelm

If quarterback Boomer Esiason's groin injury makes him unable to start Sunday against the Raiders in Los Angeles, backup Erik Wilhelm will get his first start of the season for the Cincinnati Bengals. Esiason, who has played in every Bengals game the last five seasons, is limping with a pulled groin muscle suffered in Sunday's 20-17 overtime loss to San Francisco when 49ers defenders Pierce Holt and Bill Romanowski sandwiched him on a rollout play.

If quarterback Boomer Esiason's groin injury makes him unable to start Sunday against the Raiders in Los Angeles, backup Erik Wilhelm will get his first start of the season for the Cincinnati Bengals. Esiason, who has played in every Bengals game the last five seasons, is limping with a pulled groin muscle suffered in Sunday's 20-17 overtime loss to San Francisco when 49ers defenders Pierce Holt and Bill Romanowski sandwiched him on a rollout play.

Erik Wilhelm probably won't make anyone forget John Elway. Oregon State's senior quarterback will, however, probably replace the former Stanford quarterback as the all-time passing leader in the Pacific 10 Conference. Wilhelm, a left-hander from Lake Oswego, Ore., moved to No. 2 on the all-time list last week, overtaking Jack Thompson and Jim Plunkett as he passed for 215 yards in a 21-10 victory over Fresno State.

Erik Wilhelm probably won't make anyone forget John Elway. Oregon State's senior quarterback will, however, probably replace the former Stanford quarterback as the all-time passing leader in the Pacific 10 Conference. Wilhelm, a left-hander from Lake Oswego, Ore., moved to No. 2 on the all-time list last week, overtaking Jack Thompson and Jim Plunkett as he passed for 215 yards in a 21-10 victory over Fresno State.

Jonathan Smith broke the Oregon State passing yardage record, throwing for 281 yards and three touchdowns as the Beavers routed Division I-AA Northern Arizona, 45-10, Saturday. Smith, a senior who walked on in 1997, has 8,961 yards passing, beating Erik Wilhelm's total by 34. Smith also eclipsed Wilhelm's school record of 51 touchdown passes. Smith has 54. Smith needs 110 yards to move past John Elway into third place on the Pacific 10 Conference list.

VS. SAN JOSE, 7 FOX SPORTS NET 2 Site--Staples Center. Radio--KMPC (1540). Records--Avengers 1-5, SaberCats 5-2. Record vs. SaberCats--0-1. Update--With the signing of Tony Graziani, the Avengers are suddenly overloaded at quarterback. When Todd Marinovich returns from his suspension, he, Erik Wilhelm or Harry Leons will have to go. The Avengers need a victory to climb back into the playoff race.

Cincinnati backup quarterback Jay Schroeder told Bengal officials that one of his two sons has a serious medical problem that may keep him out of Sunday's game against the New York Jets. Schroeder asked that no details be released. If Schroeder doesn't suit up, Erik Wilhelm will be elevated from No. 3 quarterback to No. 2 behind David Klingler. . . . The Pittsburgh Steelers deactivated running back Barry Foster for Sunday's game against the Broncos at Denver. Foster has a sprained left ankle. .